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Colin wasn't sure why what he said started this guy on a rant, but he listened to it patiently, albeit with a cocked eyebrow. The guy told him where the inn was, which was a plus, but he didn't seem happy about it. That was all the information he really needed, but the man quickly got off on another topic, mainly strippers. Colin didn't even know there was a strip club on this island. So much for keeping out of trouble. Not that strippers were really his thing. Colin was the kind of man who enjoyed women, but wasn't actively out seeking them all the time. His brows twitched as he remembered all the women who had asked him out during college. Sure, they were all pretty and probably would have put out, but none of them were particularly spectacular. He wasn't sure whether it was shyness or laziness, but it seemed like too much effort to hit on every lady in sight.

After the stranger finished his speech and paused for thought, Colin spoke up. "Whatever, thanks man. I'll...keep it in mind. I can see you've got someplace to be, so I won't keep you. Later." he said. Colin's speech was quiet, slow, and thoughtful. But it was always that way. Everything about the man was that way. Even when he was gambling, even when he was winning, he retained an aura of calmness and awareness. When he was drunk, he was the kind of guy who lamented his past and bemoaned the present, and was pessimistic about the future. He liked to hang with people who knew how to have a good time, but had a low toleration for rowdiness. Actually, Colin could be a bit of a downer at times. Colin looked up at the sky with a sigh, waiting for the stranger to leave. Since he had no destination, he had no intention of walking away.

Colin nodded as the guy began to leave. Some business about salad. He didn't seem like the cooking type to Colin, but you never could tell about people. He was equally surprised when the guy turned and gave him warning about the weather. As he was looking up at the sky, he observed that the guy was indeed speaking the truth. Dark, low clouds were rolling in. The man had suggested the bar or the bakery. Given his mood and the weather, Colin had good feelings about the bar. It would be a good day for a drink. He wasn't planning on getting really hammered since it was his first day on the island and all, but a little something to chill his anxieties. Despite his ever calm demeanor, he rather constantly had some form of anxiety or another. He was lost in thought for a moment, but when he returned to Earth, he discovered that the helpful stranger had already departed the area. Colin gave a chuckle. The stranger certainly was an odd one, a bizarre combination of informative and apathetic. He figured he'd see him around again. Not wanting to get caught in the rain, Colin began to walk down the street towards town. He didn't know exactly where the bar was, but he'd figure it out.

It's been awhile hasn't it? Since those snazzy green shades could be seen staring up at the wonderful blue sky. But of course they were back, all college students had winter vacation after all. And while Alt wasn't particularly looking forward to staying with his cousin, it was better than being home with his mother. Plus he still had lots of sky seeing to do on the island. Which is why he didn't stay for more than an hour after getting settled in at the Page household. Although somehow he regretted it. It was very cold. Plus it was still pretty early in the morning. He was a notoriously late sleeper so it was rare to even see the awkward blonde up. Yet, there he was, exploring the town like always. Only this time with a blue Popsicle as a treat. It had been on a plate with a note to him at Reed's house. Weird. But, he made sure to thank whoever did it from the bottom of his heart. In his mind of course.


"Special White Sky" The boy let slip from his lip. He was entranced with the sky as always. A normal sky for most. Not for Alastair though. It was far from normal for him. Because it was winter in Nirvani! And winter meant a new sky. Now he had already gotten his fill of the winter sky at school, however the cold sky of Nirvani was still new to him. So he tried to enjoy it as much as possible. And, as much as he could with how cold it was. He really didn't like the cold. Winter in general. The sky was usually white and cloudy, no room for the sun to pop out. Going outside meant being frigidly cold. And if it snowed, he lost the ability to go to some of his favorite sky watching spots. It was over all just the biggest pain. That's why he needed to focus so much on the sky. That's right focus... Focus... "Focu-..." The boy felt something bump into his chest. A familiar blonde figure to be precise. One that Alt was quite wary of. Why? Cause he hadn't called her in awhile and, never told her he was heading back to the island for vacation. So how would he handle the situation? By pretending to be a tree and hopefully she would go away.

Unfortunate, Alt's attempt at flamage was unsuccessful. But luckily, Kotone didn't even seem the slightest bit mad. Actually, she looked pretty excited to see him. He took some pride in that. He made sure to keep skeptical though. He knew very well that her moods changed quickly. He stuck his hand straight into the air like he was raising his hand to ask a question, but the lowered it onto the girl's shoulder, "Yo Teach'." He quickly drew his hand back though. She didn't like to be touched, he remembered. However now, Alt was at a loss for words. He was never a conversationalist so just talking was always quite difficult for the boy. He had to at least make an effort though. The boy hadn't seen her in quite awhile, and it was quite exciting to see her again. So he had to make sure not to miss this chance to talk! Though no matter how much he thought, he just couldn't come up with anything. Which made him lock his eyes onto the girl. "Your as small and blonde as ever," He said, luckily not to awkwardly long from his greeting. Of course it wasn't really a conversation starter, but it was Alt like.

-----

On the other side of the island, on the streets of the business district, was the other man of the Page household. What was he doing around these parts? Well meeting up with his White Day date of course. Though he really wasn't interested in the idea of a date per say. More that he liked the idea of helping out the less fortunate. A noble cause wouldn't you say? But even knowing he had done such a good thing, Reed could only manage to think about not being stuck with some weirdo. Of course he was going to stay and enjoy the date as much as possible regardless. It was just that it would be nice if the person he was going to be with was an enjoyable one. Or at least someone who could ease the anxiety of leaving his daughter with a sitter. Alt would have done it if he was not wandering the town at the moment. Which left Reed with some pretty stubborn feelings of worry. He would try his best to be entertaining to his buyer, but what could one expect from the anxious dad?

Reed arrived around the spot that his buyer had specified. The business side of town was always so quaint, he could only imagine what he would be doing on this rendezvous. And of course, being a fashionable young man, he was dressed in very nice attire. A black thermal underneath a fur-lined coat with a nice pair of jeans. Whether this was a date, or a just a regular kind of meeting, the man should at least look his best. He was usually always good about these kinds of things. He even showed up a bit early, a custom for men to do. Though he hoped he wasn't too early. He checked his watch here and there just to make sure. He didn't mind waiting for this Benedetta person, but he hoped not to stand in the cold for to long. Reed took a seat on a close by bench and slipped his hands into his coat's pockets. He would have smoked a cigarette, but he had forgotten his lighter. Not exactly the best thing to happen to him, but at least he wouldn't smell like smoke. Not a lot of people liked that kind of smell. Hell even he didn't. So he just had to make believe with his breath. Luckily it was cold enough to see it. So the man waited blowing fake smoke into the air.

Even with the woman now living on the island, Benedetta still hardly left her home aside from the trip to and from to Hayden's to keep an eye on her brother. It was hard to say why, really – Benedetta wasn't much of a social butterfly, but she did like to go out and watch people. Study them, see who was who and everyone's average schedule.. It was the benefit of a small place like this, that she could learn so much by just taking a daily walk. Though, she hadn't. Why? Well, she had been busy trying to get a certain man's attention, that was why! Nothing had worked, though, and, after a year and more of attempting, she finally came to the conclusion that he wasn't worth it. Benedek hadn't even been with him, so it was obvious there was nothing there to make the handsome artist worthy of her. This conclusion had come recently and, timely enough, just when she turned on the television to find that there was a local 'man bid' for charity. It was a yearly event that she had participated in once before, but it had all but left her mind since the man she had bought didn't show. Hayden had stifled any such humiliation at that then, but, if the man – this 'Reed' – didn't come today.. Oh, she would have nothing to distract her from finding him herself. It was a small town and she was sure her brother could find an address in a minute with the right motivation..

The girl had stood there in the gently falling snow, studying it subconsciously as she thought of how she would go about hunting Reed down. She did like the snow best, even if the thick, long coat hid most of her form from view and the temperature alone was enough to redden her nose and freeze her hands – she really needed to invest in thicker gloves.. But, despite all it's faults, snow was indeed a beauty that she found to make up for Winter. She liked the white when it first hit the ground – such a contrast to her black she donned. She straightened the dark coat and glided a hand over her hair to brush off the snow, breaking from that daze of hers – had she fallen asleep? Ah, she hoped not. Falling asleep in the snow like this could do more than give her a simple cold! Not to mention the passage of time was hard to assess when one was sleeping.. She could be the 'no-show' herself if she didn't hurry! So, it was through the streets that the woman walked, her boots crunching the fresh layer of snow with each step and her eyes occasionally glancing down at a sliver of bare wrist on which her watch ticked away up at her. She hadn't been very specific on the time in her note, but she wasn't going to take a risk of making anyone wait on her.

..A risk she didn't have to take as it already looked to be true. She frowned as she noted the figure of a man, seated on a bench and alone. She hadn't seen many people out in the cold weather, so she couldn't think that he was just sitting out in the cold for no good reason.. He was most certainly waiting on someone. “Mr. Page?” She questioned as she came close enough to really see him. Not that it assured her anymore on his identity – she didn't have a clue what Reed was supposed to look like. “..Reed? If you're alright with me calling you that, that is.” She added carefully, smiling softly at the other while she continued, “Well, if you are Reed Page. Ah, I'm not playing a prank on you,” She tossed in as another thought came to her, her hand going up to signal him to stop before he even began to speak as she giggled quietly, “'Reed Page' is my date – for White Day, you see. Though, the name..” She drifted off for a moment there, a hint of worry on her expression with this new thought, “..It is rather strange, isn't it? I think I may have been tricked myself.”

-Hayden Rusacanth-

Discreet... Well Hayden wasn't sure what discreet would've fallen into on his closet... but he thought this was pretty nice? Or maybe he over did it? Really he wasn't paying attention to that. There was the slight worry that another man had bought him on the auction... Sure he was all for them having fun, but not with him! He just wanted to... actually he wanted to do what that fairy said... Though he'd just need to get drunk if that was all he wanted. No, all readers knew he wanted the love and the promises and then the family... But what was stopping him? Oh meeting the perfect woman! He didn't know much, but he did know her name wasn't Kade. So it was time to see who he'd enlighten today as he walked down the streets, away from the other people meeting their possible others. He had heard about the male, but he hadn't actually met him... His last haircut had been a bet between his sisters, and the winner got to 'fix his hair'. Least that was what they told him. It actually hadn't turn out bad... but it was in need of a tune-up.

Ah, so she was right! Benedetta instantly relaxed as she heard the confirmation, her hands going to her front to gently set them over eachother while he continued. She itched to rub them together in hopes to produce some warmth, but she didn't want to make any sudden movements. It may scare him away for all she knew! Though, Reed didn't appear to be a rabbit – more of a.. sheep. Easygoing, reliable, and happy. She smiled more at that observation, quickly shifting into a more modest smile the next second, however, as she heard the compliment, giving a soft giggle. “Thank you, Reed. It's a pleasure to meet such a gentleman.” She replied honestly – it really was a pleasure for her! She hadn't met many despite her length of time on the island and, well, this was a lovely contrast to her last date, who hadn't even had the mind to show up! She looked at his extended hand for a moment before gently taking it in hers with a light shake or two, drawing back the next second. “I'm sorry for making you wait in this weather – I didn't think it would be this cold..” She frowned at that, but it didn't last long before she was caught turning back to face him completely with a friendly, albeit small smile. “I was hoping you would help me in shopping, Reed. I have three siblings to shop for, you see, and it gets to be too much for me to carry by myself.” They could join her to help her themselves, but.. Benedetta thought better of that. Reed would be a much better choice.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Donning a thick pair of black sunglasses, slicked back hair, and a very 'subtle' brown trench coat to conceal his slender form, Kade was walking down the street with more than just a few stares directed his way. He would have been ducking behind mailboxes and hiding in the alleys, but now wasn't the time for that! Now was the time to make sure they were inconspicuous! ..Who was they, someone may ask? After all, Kade was walking alone at that moment – unless he had a mouse in his pocket the narrator was unaware of – and he didn't seem to be crazy enough to believe he was walking with some invisible ghost.. Not anymore, anyway. Well, to answer that, one simply have to look to the blonde artist walking down the street in obvious search of his partner for the day! Yes, Kade had bought poor Hayden to come along with him for his day of adventure and truth! ..Oh, well, at least he wouldn't be feeding him any hallucinogens. “Heeeey!” He shouted out excitedly as soon as he saw Hayden, hurrying on to stand before the man. He hadn't met Hayden before then, true, but they both had been on the island for long enough that he knew of the artist. He probably knew more about Hayden than even his friends, actually.. “Hayden, right? I'm Kade! And – oh.. Honey, honey,” He raised a brow at the man, lowering his sunglasses with one manicured finger to look him up and down clearly. “What is this?” He swept a hand up and down the air before the other, looking at him questioningly. Hadn't he said.. subtle? Spy-like? Something that didn't make him stand up? A snow-bunny taped to his head would have been a better (and cuter) disguise!

-Hayden Rusacanth-

So much for discreet... Hayden didn't know what to say at the sight of a brown haired male... spy... thing... Was that discreet? Or was the shouting discreet? What was discreet to him anyways!? The blond had started to smile tho, used to facing adversity with a smile, as he introduced himself before it stopped by confusion to his reaction. What was this? "My clothes? Is there something wrong with them?" What? He didn't know he was supposed to be a spy! And he's discreet! Where did Kade think they lived that his clothes stood out like he made it sound? "You know it's White Day. Let's ignore my clothes. What is on the agenda today?" Yes, attempt to distract a hairstylist from your clothes. Hayden would muster all the charm he could to try. Not that he'd guarantee it would work... It's just not the same as when doing it to someone you'd actually sleep with. Or rather that same taste as you... Damn White Days... they really weren't doing favors for the man, even if he tried every year.